Winning The Magnate's Heart (#LTNI Book 2)

#WTMH Roll 6: A Cupid named 'Boyet'

Nabitin ang pagsubo ni Alban nang burger kinagabihan sa dinner nila ni Margaret sa isang burger-pop soda junction-restaurant. "Wait, what?"

She shrugs. "He rejected my offer." Nilapag niya ang folder kung saan kitang-kita ang mga papel na kunot sa loob dahil sa pagmamadali niyang isilid iyon kanina. After her... failed meeting with Isaiah, tinulog lang niya muna ang inis sa hotel niya para wag siya madala sa emosyon na umiyak at makaramdam ng panghihina na wala na siyang pag-asa. Gabi na nang nagising siya at laking pasasalamat talaga niya na inanyayahan siya ni Alban na samahan ito sa hapunan kundi mag-se-self pity na naman siya sa loob ng kaniyang kwarto.

Nakaupo siya sa harapan ng kaibigan at gaano pa katakam-takam ang burger & fries at milkshake sa harapan niya'y di makayanan ng tiyan niya ang kumain. She's down and pressured of her limited time.

"Why?" Alban wipes his mouth with a tissue. "Did he not like your presentation? Did you say something offensive?"

Umiling siya at nilalaro ang mga fries sa tinidor niya.

"Darlin', tell me... don't leave me hanging. What happened?"

She pouts as she leans on the chair. "The past is just...haunting us."

"Past?" Alban sips on his coke-float drink. "What past?"

She puffs her cheeks and looks outside.

"Seriously? Every time I asked, you'll just zip your mouth as if you didn't said anything?"

Marga rubs her forehead. "There's...." How should she say this? "There's just too much to consider on this proposal, Alban."

"Ano nga 'yun." Dumaan muna ang ilang tahimik na minuto bago nagsalita uli si Alban. "Helloooowwwww... Earth to Margaret?"

Inihilamos nalang ni Marga ang mukha sa mga palad. "Basta..."

"May di ka ba sinasabi sa akin, Marga?"

Biglang nakaramdaman ng kosensiya si Margaret na tiningnan ang kaibigan. He has helped him more than she can imagine. The least she could do is to tell him the backstory why the approval of the proposal has too much... personal issues on it. "The thing is..." She bit her lower lip.

"Go on." Subo ni Alban sa kamatis na topping ng burger. "I'm listening."

"Isaiah and I... were..." She swallows a lump on her throat. "... were ex-lovers."

Napakurap pa ng ilang beses si Alban at mabilis na humigop ng softdrinks gamit ang straw.

Nahihiya siyang yumuko. She was not embarrassed about her past. She was embarrassed for hiding a crucial fact that has an big impact on all of these happenings.

Di pa rin makapaniwala si Alban na nakatingin sa kaniya. "Tell me you're joking."

"I'm... not."

Napaawang nalang ang bibig ni Alban at sinapo ang noo sabay tingala sa kisame. "God, Margaret!!!"

"Shhhhhhh!!!" Pilit niyang patatahimik rito baka may makarinig dahil iilan sa customers roon ay lumingon sa direksyon nila.

"Why didn't you tell it to me sooner!!" May paghuhusga ang tingin at boses nito.

"Because I think it will not matter!" Gusto niyang maiyak dahil sa nararamdamang frustration.

"Of course, it will matter! BIG TIME!" Sinapak nito ang noo.

"K-Kasi..." Ungol niya. "Para naman ito sa mga sinasakupan ko... hindi naman 'to tungkol sa amin ----"

"Kahit na, Margaret. Based on your facial expression, hindi maganda ang hiwalayan niyo, ano?"

She immediately ignores the memory that fateful day on her mind. "Y-Yeah."

"Darlin', you can't expect sweet hugs and kisses." Iling ni Alban na pinagpatuloy ang pag kain sa burger.

"At least, he could set aside our personal conflict --- "

"Ano bang nangyari sa inyo?"

Yumuko uli siya.

"If you won't tell me, I will stop helping you."

Lumabi siyang tiningnan ito.

"Because darlin', I don't want to fight a battle without knowing whom to fight! Tingnan mo ngayon, tinutulungan kita pero balewala lang kasi kahit anong tulong na ibibigay ko sa'yo, di effective kasi may nakaraan pala kayo na di ko alam."

And he's right. Kahit kaibiganin pa ni Alban ang buong angkan ng mga Miller, hangga't si Isaiah ang may huling salita at siya ang may hawak na proposal, balewala pa rin lahat.

"Start talking." Utos ni Alban. "Okay, kahit di mo nalang sabihin ang buong kwento. Just answer my question. Why did he leave you?"

"I-It was... It was the other way around, Alban."

"You mean... ikaw... ang... lumayo?" Unting-unting lumaki ang mata ni Alban sa gulat. "Like, y-you... you called it quits?"

She sadly nods. "Yeah. I was the one who left him..."

"No way... B-Bakit?"

She lines the French fries on her plate based on their height. "You know I didn't grow up in Scotland but in Philippines."

"So doon kayo nagkakilala?"

She nods.

> Liam lends his hand. "Come with me, Isla. Stay the night on my pad."

"Tapos?"

"We fell inlove... did things lovers do. Then, I found out I'm the lost princess of Scotland." Kibit-balikat niya.

"And Queen Mary, upon knowing you are alive, went to Philippines and forcefully demanded you to come back to Scotland."

'There's more to that, Alban. Our families happened to be mortal enemies. Isaiah and I happened to carry the consequences of their mistakes on the past.' Gusto sana niyang idagdag pero labas na ang kaibigan niya sa issue na iyon kaya tumango nalang siya. "Yes."

"Ouch. That really hurts his ego for sure."

She pokes her burger with her fork.

> "Isla!! Take one step... one step away and you'll never going to here from me!"

Binitawan niya ang tinidor at niyakap ang sarili. Biglang bumigat ang pakiramdam niya. Remembering Isaiah's tight grip and cold stare earlier, she is near convinced he doesn't know her anymore.

Dinama niya ang pulso kung saan parang ramdam pa niya ang mga daliri nito.

"How long has it been?"

"Two years." Tulala niyang sagot.

"No wonder he rejected your proposal. Two years and you'll suddenly appear on his doorstep... that's a slap on his face. Iniwan mo siya tapos bigla ka nalang susulpot kasi may kailangan ka sa kaniya."

> "You don't go popping out of nowhere after two years and question my decision."

His voice. His breath. The edge on his voice. The heat emanating from his body. They are not the same anymore.

"So ano na plano mo ngayon?"

Tinitigan niya ito. "I'll keep convincing him."

"Darlin', know that I have no control from this point onward." Hinawakan ni Alban ang kamay niya at pinisil. "You'll be on your own on this one. I don't I can convince a Miller to change his mind especially you had deeper personal connection with him."

She nods. "I know and I won't give up, Alban." Huminga siya ng malalim at dinama rin ang kamay ng kaibigan. "Di ako susuko. Murahin man niya ako... sigawan man niya ako... di ako susuko. Until I'll have his approval and signature on my proposal, I won't stop. Mas kaya kong indahin ang sakit ng pananalita niya keysa ang tingnan ang mga batang umiiyak sa gutom at sakit sa tiyan."

Alban smiles and feels her cheek. "You'll make a great Queen someday, Darlin'."

She held back her tears. She'll sacrifice her heart as she always had been for other people's welfare. But just until when can her heart endure? Especially she's up against someone who literally holds her heart on his hand.

Isaiah Clark.

With a can of beer on his hand, Isaiah presses the power button of the remote to turn off the television. Wearing only a black pajama pants and a black robe, he stands up and walks towards the kitchen, drinks the remaining beer then throws the can on the trash bin.

> She bites her soft lips as she mentions his name. "I-Isaiah..."

He opens his fridge and pulls out another can of beer.

> "They have nothing to do with the war between our families!" Her feisty eyes look up to him.

Isaiah leans on his kitchen counter.

> She groans inwardly as she speaks. "This is not about u-us, Isaiah."

Binuksan niya ang lata at mabilis na lumagok roon.

Her soft body against his. Her ragged breath. Her moan. Damn. Despite what happened, she still has the same effect on him.

The moment he saw her standing, waiting for him on the waiting area almost took his breath away. If not for his mind reminding him what she did two years ago, he might run to her and smash his mouth against her soft, pink lips until they're breathless. Her white figure-hugging dress made no help of easing his intense desire to take her right there and then.

Tinukod niya ang dalawang kamay sa sinandalan niyang kitchen counter. He groans as his body starts to respond the second time today. Di na niya kailangan pang yumuko para makita ang nakaumbok na bahagi ng ibabang katawan niya. He taps his finger on the beer can he's holding and focuses his attention on the tapping sound to distract himself.

Tumingala nalang siya sabay pinikit ang mga mata. Trying to remove Marga's effect off his system.

> His fingers curl on her small wrists.

> Wraps his arm around her slim waist.

> He pulls her body towards him. Her body fits his as it always has been.

> Seeing her scared expression ignites the fire in him.

Napadilat nalang siya at napabuga ng hangin. The tapping sounds do no justice. 'Hell. This is maddening.' Hinubad nalang niya ang bathrobe at agad nagdesisyong mag night-swimming sa pool niya sa taas. The cold water might soothe his aching groin.

He shouldn't desire after her. Girls are always ready to offer their bodies to him willingly.

Yet on those two years apart, his imagination intensified his craving for her... more.

Malakas nalang niya tinapon ang walang laman ng beer sa trash can.

"Ho!" She exhales as she looks at her reflection on the mirror the next morning. Marga pulls her hair upward then starts fixing it for a high ponytail. Biting her black hairband, she looks at the reflection of the folder laid on her bed.

Matapos niyang maayos ang buhok, nilingon niya ang kama at tumango. "Tama, Marga. Wag kang susuko. Para ito lang??" Sinuot niya ang sneakers sabay hablot sa folder at patakbong lumabas sa kwarto niya.

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Pumasok sa building si Isaiah kasunod naman si Baxter.

"Grabe, Sir 'no?" Baxter runs and walks to keep up with him. Kakagaling lang nila sa isang breakfast meeting kasama ang isang U.S. Senator. "Dami niyang bodyguard. Akala ko customer sa resto, yun pala mga bodyguard niya ang mga iyon. Nag-aagahan din pala."

"Well, that's what you get when you enter politics." He checked his wristwatch. "It's 10:30 AM already. I want to check the new software installed on the servers ---- "

"Oy!" Biglang sigaw ni Baxter. "ISLA ---- ESTE MARGARET!!!"

His steps slow down and eventually stop when his gaze flew to the woman standing infront of the elevator.

Napalingon si Marga sa kanila mula sa kakatingala sa floor indicator ng elevator at agad rumehistro ang ngiti sa mga labi.

Isaiah immediately looks at the other direction.

"TOMBOY!!!" Takbo ni Baxter at nag-brofist kasama si Marga tsaka niyakap. "Andito ka! Teka... bakit ka nga pala andito?"

Marga, wearing a yellow shirt, black leggings and white sneakers, throws a glance at Isaiah walking towards their direction. Tiningnan niya ang kaibigan. "May sadya kasi ako sa boss mo."

"Ha?" Pinahinaan nito ang boses. "Nagkita na k-kayo?"

She nods. "Yeah."

"K-Kamusta?"

Ngumiwi siya. "Just as you predicted."

"Okay ka lang ----"

"Stop wasting time, Boyet." Singit ng baritonong boses ni Isaiah na dumaan sa likod ni Baxter at pumasok sa walang lamang bagon ng elevator.

Sumunod namang pumasok si Baxter at Marga.

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Marga exhales as she tried to ignore the heavy atmosphere inside the elevator. His intimidating aura makes the travel to the 29th floor very quiet and awkward. Yumuko siya at nilaro ang kulot-kulot niyang bangs.

Napagitnaan naman nila si Baxter na halatang di komportable sa di pag-i-imikan nila. Pinaglilipat nito ang mata sa dalawang taong nakatayo sa gilid nito na pawang matitigas ang ulo kung sino ang unang magsasalita.

Isaiah just fixes his eyes forward, his expression blank.

"Uhh..." Basag ni Baxter sa katahimakan. "Alam niyo... nasa 8th floor pa tayo. Baka naman... alam niyo na, gusto niyong magkamustahan?"

No response from the two.

"Kayo bahala." Sipol nito. "10th floor pa tayo." Tingin nito sa floor indicator sa taas. "Babaho hininga niyo --- Aray!" Lingon nito sa kaniya nang kinurot niya ang tagiliran nito. "Ano?"

"Quiet." She hisses.

"Simpleng kamustahan lang naman ---- "

At bumukas ang elevator sa 14th floor. Bumungad sa kanila ang iilang mga banyangang negsoyante na sasakay rin pala sa elevator. They smile and nods upon recognizing the young chairman. Marga steps back to give space for the men in suits. Same thing happens when they arrived at 18th floor. May ibang bumaba, pero maraming sumakay. Umisod na naman patalikod si Margaret hanggang nakatayo na siya sa likod ni Baxter.

She secretly looks at Isaiah's side profile. He still has this unmoved expression. Margaret can't read him anymore just like back then when she can easily sense if he's sad despite smiling all the time. She can determine if he's tired or happy by the luster of his blue-eyes. She sighs as she looks down. Are things different this time?

- DING –

Because of Baxter's height, she tiptoes to check the floor indicator. 23rd floor. Bumukas uli ang elevator at may iilang bumaba pero tulad kanina'y marami-rami uling sumakay. She steps aside to give more room. She stiffens when she smells a familiar mint fragrance. Pagtingala'y malapit na siya mapasinghap. Nakatayo na pala siya sa likod ni Isaiah at di na siya makagalaw kasi nasa sulok siya at punong-puno na ang elevator sa oras na iyon.

Napadasal nalang siya nang de-oras. 'Diyos ko... sana'y wala nang sasakay. Baka di niya mamalayan na nasa likod niya ako 'eh ka-laking tao baka maipit ako.' She looks at his tall physique and broad back. Napangiti siya.

Sometimes, it's fine to feel weak and draw strength from a strong man.

Just by staring at his back, makes her want to surrender all her burdens and feel secure from him.

Napahawak nalang siya sa dingding nang umalog ang bagon. Huminto na naman ito. 'Seryoso?!' She tries to peek at the indicator what floor they are in. Nagulat nalang siya nang nasa 25th floor palang sila. Bumukas ang elevator. 'Eh?! Wala ng space!! Di na ako mag-a-adjust!'

And to her amazement, Isaiah steps back to give space. "A-Ah t-teka... Isaiah, nasa likod mo ako --- " Pero huli na para marinig nito ang boses niya kaya mas lalo pa siyang naipit sa pagitan ng dingding at sa malaking nitong katawan. "Ow!" Igik nalang niya.

Isaiah, sensing two hands touching his back, turns to look who's standing behind him. Sakto namang paglingon niya'y, huminto uli ang bagon at may pumasok uling mga sasakay kaya di na siya nakaharap uli at naitukod nalang ang dalawang braso sa dingding. When he looks down, he's imprisoning the princess between him and the wall. Margaret is closing her eyes tightly as if waiting for another impact from him.

Baxter, upon noticing his boss and his friend's form, smiles playfully as an idea pops on his mind. Umisod siya para mukhang nakatayo na siya sa likod ni Isaiah na noo'y nakaharap na kay Marga. "Oy!" Bangga niya sa boss niya dahilan para madiin pa ito kay Marga.

"Fuck..." Isaiah silently curses as he was pressed towards Margaret's small body. "Boyet!" He turns his head.

"Sir... sadyang masikip na po talaga. Sorry." Pilit wag humagikhik ni Baxter. Masikip nga naman talaga pero makakagalaw pa naman siya.

With her hands in front of her and her eyes still close, Margaret feels the fabric her hands are laid upon. 'T-Teka... necktie? Bakit may necktie.' Napasinghap nalang siya nang pagdilat niya'y unang bumungad sa kaniya ay ang mga kamay niyang pumasok na sa coat at dinadama-dama na ang pang-ilalim na damit kung sino mang nakatayo sa harap niya. "Ay hala! S-Sorry! Sorry!" When she looks up, she was met with Isaiah's blue-eyes. He is hovering above her. "I-Isaiah --- Oppp!" Pikit niya uli nang dumiin uli ang katawan nito sa kaniya.

"Tch!" Isaiah bares his teeth and turns to Baxter. "Boyet, do you mind?"

"Sorry, sir. May sumakay uli."

'Ang tagal ng 29th floor!!!' Sigaw ng isip ni Margaret. Para siyang palaman sa dalawang matitigas na slice bread. One a steel wall. The other, a hard body. Tsaka masakit na rin ang dibdib niya na tunay na naiipit sa posisyon nila.

When the elevator stops, she's about to exhale a relief when she saw the floor number they are into. 27th floor. 'Huh?' "Aray!" Ungol nalang niya nang dumiin uli si Isaiah sa harapan niya. 'A-Ang boobs ko. T_T Ang sakit na!'

Isaiah, pissed as f**k, bites his lower lip. He knew Baxter was doing the pushing in purpose and he can't do anything about it since it's getting confined inside the elevator. Plus, her sweet scent is not doing any help to ease the tension he's starting to feel in his body. "One more, Boyet. Malilintikan --- "

At patalikod na tinulak nga siya uli ng katiwala niya!

Margaret has no choice but to hug the man infront of her. "S-Sorry talaga..." Hingi ng prinsesa ng paumanhin. 'Di na kaya ng hinaharap ko ang maipit!'

Isaiah just inhaled sharply as her delicate body cushioned around him.

- DING –

Sabay na napalingon si Margaret, Isaiah at Baxter sa floor indicator.

29th Floor! This floor only houses the office of the Chairman.

Lumayo si Isaiah kay Margaret at matalim na tiningnan si Baxter. Sila nalang pala ang nasa elevator!

"Hehehehe..." Ngiting kamot ni Baxter sa sentido. "Hi, Sir."

Inayos ni Isaiah ang damit. "Do that again and you'll wake up deported back to Philippines." Then he struts out the elevator.

"Aray!" Hiyaw ni Baxter nang binatukan siya ni Marga sa ulo. "Oy! Sakit 'ha!"

Nangangalaiti rin si Margaret sa inis. "Bad shot ka! Mas lalo mong pinalala ang situation."

"Anong ginawa koooooo~" Inosenteng ngiti ni Baxter.

Lumabas sa elevator si Marga at nag-dirty finger sa kaibigan tsaka mabilis na tumakbo para mahabol si Isaiah.

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"Isaiah! Wait!!" Sigaw ni Margaret. Tumatakbo siya pero ito'y naglalakad lang. Curse Miller and their long legs!! "ISAIAH!!"

Tumayo si Nadia sa likod ng counter. "Welcome back ----" pero dire-diretso lang na naglakad ang boss papasok sa opisina at malakas na sinara ang pinto, hitting Margaret on her nose.

"Owwww!!" Sapo ni Margaret sa ilong. Tiningnan niya ang saradong opisina nito at dinikit nalang ang noo sa pintuan. "Isaiah naman...." Tsaka bwesit na bwesit na nilingon si Baxter na kakalapit lang. "Kasalanan mo talaga 'to lahat!" Angil niya.

"OA nito. Agad-agad? Kasalanan ko agad lahat? Para namang di niyo nagustuhan ---- OY MARGARET!!!" Napahiga nalang si Baxter sa carper nang daganan siya ni Marga. "MARGA!!"

Nakaupo si Marga sa tiyan ni Baxter at pinaghahambalos ang folder sa kaibigan. "LETSE KA! LETSE KA!! MUKHANG PALAKA KANG WALANG BAYAG!! WALANG HIYA KA!!"

"AHHHHHHH!!" Salag ni Baxter sa mga braso. "NADIA! HELP!! CALL THE SECURITY!!!"

Tumatawa nalang umupo si Nadia sa upuan nito at sinimulan ang trabaho.

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Sambakol pa rin ang mukha ni Margaret na nakaupo sa sofa habang nakatingin sa pintuan ng opisina ni Isaiah.

"Oy..." Lapag ni Baxter ng dalawang cupcake at isang basong tubig sa mesa. On his cheek and forehead are two Band-aids. "Merienda ka muna."

With sharp-eyes she turns to him. "Sipain talaga kita palabas ng bintana para pagbagsak mo baldado ka na."

"Patay na ako pagdating ko sa baba. Adik ka." Inakbayan siya ni Baxter. "Wag ka na galit, tomboy. Pinapagaan ko lang ang atmosphere kanina sa elevator."

"Pinapagaan? Pinapagaan?!! HA?!!!" Hablot niya sa buhok nito.

"MARGARET!!! ANAK NG –-- MAAWA KA SA AKIN!!!" Hiyaw nito sa sakit ng anit nito. "AYAW KO PA MAKALBO."

"Pag di mo ako tatantanan... kakalbuhin talaga kita katulad ni Boy Abunda!!!"

At natigilan sila nang lumabas sa opisina si Isaiah. Agad silang tumayong dalawa at inayos ang mga hitsura.

He throws them a cold glance. "Boyet, humanap ka ng daananan na di traffic. I need to arrive at the factory in 15 mins." He walks straight out not giving the princess a chance to speak.

Nilingon nalang ni Baxter ang katabi na halatang nalungkot. "S-Sige, Marga. Kitakits mamaya." Mabilis nitong sinundan ang amo.

Bumagsak ang balikat ni Marga at pasalampak na umupo sa sofa.

"He'll softens in no time."

Nilingon niya si Nadia.

Ngumiti ito. "Kung mahina ang puso ko, matagal na ako nag-resign sa trabaho ko sa sakit ng mga salita niya sa akin pag nagkakamali ako. But in the long process, maybe he saw me dedicated with my work, he slowly understands and ignores my little mistakes. Siguro, sinusubukan lang tayo ni Sir kung tatagal ba tayo at di agad susuko."

She looks down on her crumpled folder. "I guess so..."

"Baka mamaya, tatawagan ka na nun." Nadia smiles positively.

She nods and leans on the leather seat.

> "Siguro, sinusubukan lang tayo kung tatagal ba tayo at di agad susuko."

She turns her head to look at the blue, clear sky. 'And I easily give him up two years ago without looking back.'

And the for the rest of the day? Margaret never saw him again.

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Pabagsak at pahapang humiga si Margaret sa kama niya at umungol nang maramdaman ng sabay-sabay ang sakit ng katawan. Her back aches. Her feet ache. Her legs are throbbing. Her butt is sore from sitting too much. At dahil takot na baka di niya maabutan si Isaiah pag kumain siya sa labas, inunti-unti niyang kainin ang cupcake na binigay ni Baxter kaya ngayon... sumisigaw na sa gutom ang tiyan niya.

Tumihaya siya at tumingala sa kisame. She only has five days left. 'Maghahanap nalang kaya ako ng ibang investors?' Umupo siya sa kama at hinimas ang masakit na mga paa. 'But it will take time...' The charity event is also closing in. In that event, companies/organization will announce what project they'll support. She wants to see her project on that screen as well but who will fund it?

Humiga uli siya. Her vision starts to blur. She's starting to get sleepy. Her phone rings. She grabs it from the nearby table and presses the 'Answer' button. "Hello?" She yawns.

Alban: "Darlin'! Good evening! Di mo na ako binalitaan... kamusta?"

"Hmm?" Her eyes start to close.

Alban: "What 'hmm'?"

"W-What?" She tries to focus on the caller's voice.

Alban: "Kamusta kanina. Did you manage to make him sign your proposal?"

She finally dozes off and snores softly.

Alban: "Marga? Darlin'? Yohhho~ Margaret?? You there?"

The next day, she finds herself standing infront of the elevator again. She won't give up and it's too late to back out now. Kulang-kulang na ang oras niya para maghanap pa ng panibago.

Pumasok siya sa elevator at hinanda uli ang sarili na harapin ang lalake.

She'll stick with Isaiah Clark Miller.

Pagdating niya sa 29th floor at sa lobby mabilis nasira ang mood niya. Nakaupo sa sofa si Baxter. "Ikaw na naman?"

"Tombooooyyy~" Malapad na ngiti ni Baxter. "Mah bebe loves~"

Inambanan niya ito ng suntok. "Diyos ko, Boyet. Wag kang ngumiti. Nangangalaiti ang kamao kung sirain yang mga perpekto mong ngipin."

Tumayo ito. "'to naman... di makamag-move on."

"Maka-move on? Nagpapalapad pa nga ako ng papel sa amo pero agad mong sinira diskarte ko."

"Kuu~ maniwala ka diyan kay Boss." Tumayo ito sa likod niya at minasahe ang balikat niya. "Bibigay rin 'yan sa'yo."

Nadia nods behind the counter. "I second the motion."

She pouts. "Paano pag hindi?"

"Si Isaiah lang yan." Masahe pa ni Baxter sa balikat niya. "Wag ka paghinaan ng loob."

"Tama nga 'no? si Isaiah lang 'yun." Positibong tango ni Margaret. A surge of willingness invades her.

"Kaya mo siya, di'ba?" Pisil-pisil ni Baxter sa balikat niya. Lumingon ito kay Nadia at kumindat. Tumawa lang ang babae.

"Oo naman..." She flexes her arms. "Tao lang siya, ano! Di naman siya katakot-takot --- " At nabitin ang sasabihin niya nang lumabas sa opisina si Isaiah. On his crisp, white, long-sleeve business shirt and grey trousers, he looks sexy as f**k! Biglang naubos ang enerhiya niya. "Tae... Boyet. Nanghihina ako." Tumalikod siya at tinukod ang kamay sa balikat ng kaibigan. "I surrender."

"Ano ka ba!" Pinaharap siya uli nito. "Harapin mo! Lalake siya... tomboy ka... Pareho kayong may titi."

"Anong ---- " Nilingon niya ito. "Anong t**i?"

"Harap, Isla!"

Pagharap niya'y nasa harapan na pala si Isaiah. Tumingala siya at ngumiti. "G-Good morning, Isaiah." Nilahad niya ang folder. "My proposal?"

Isaiah's eyes fall on Margaret's bare shoulder on her sleeveless blue dress contrasting her red hair freely flowing behind her. Minutes passed, he then looks back to Baxter. "We'll go to Point Oregon. Dadaan tayo sa sss para kunin yung package." And just like that he swiftly passed by her.

"Eh?" Nanlaki ang mata ni Baxter nang di man lang pinansin ng amo ang babae. Pero wala itong magawa kundi tapikin nalang ang balikat ng kaibigan at sumunod sa amo.

Her shoulders fall and when she turns around, both men already entered the elevator.

"Ms. Margaret?" Nilingon niya si Nadia. "I have cookies." Paumanhing ngiti nito.

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Nakaupo uli sa sofa sa lobby si Margaret at nakatingin sa labas ng bintana kung saan umuulan. She looks at her wrist watch. 1:14PM. Tiningnan niya ang cookies sa platito kung saan sa sampung s-in-erve ay apat nalang ang natira.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang siya at pumikit. Di niya namalayang nakatulog na pala siya.

Around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Isaiah and Baxter returned a bit wet from the strong, rain outside. Nagpagpag si Baxter sa suot nitong jacket at natigilan sa sofa. "Andito pa siya?"

Napalingon na rin si Isaiah sa direskyon na tinitingnan ng katiwala. On the sofa is Margaret sleeping soundly with her head resting on the sofa's armrest.

"Kanina pa siya diyan. Di umaalis." Ani ni Nadia.

Baxter looks at Isaiah's expression. Nakatingin lang ito sa babae at walang ekspresyon ang mukha. "Sir?"

Tumalikod ito at pumasok sa opisina.

Nagkatinginan nalang si Baxter at Nadia.

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"Marga..." Maingat na uyog ni Alban sa kaibigan. "Margaret..."

"Hnnnmm..." Ungol lang nito.

Lumingon si Alban sa girlfriend niyang nasa likod ng counter nito. "When was she here?"

"Mga alas otso pa ng umaga." Sagot ni Nadia. It's 4:45PM already and she's scheduled to go home at 5PM. Mahirap na iwan niya ang dalaga sa sofa na halatang himbing sa pagkakatulog. Kaya tinawagan nalang niya ang kaibigan nitong boyfriend niya na si Alban na kunin ito at dalhin sa tinutuluyan nitong hotel.

"8AM?!" Nilingon ni Alban ang kaibigan. "Oh, poor darlin'." Dama nito sa pisngi ng dalaga.

Sakto namang lumabas si Isaiah at Baxter sa opisina. Their eyes immediately flew on the man kneeling infront of the sofa, touching Marga's cheeks.

Isaiah's jaw immediately stiffens yet Baxter's the first one to react. "O-Oy, s-sino ka!? Anong ginagawa ko sa kaibigan ko!!"

Agad pumagitna si Nadia. "W-Wait! Wait! He is Margaret's friend!!"

"Friend?" Isaiah voices out with disgust. "That's some friend she got there." He eyed the man's fingers on Marga's pink cheeks.

Maingat na binuhat ni Alban si Margaret sa kaniyang mga bisig at nilingon ang dalawang lalake. "Mr. Miller." Pagkilala nito sa kaniya at tatalikod na sana nang magsalita si Isaiah.

"Put her down."

Nagulat si Nadia at Baxter na napalingon sa kanilang amo.

Binalingan ito ni Alban.

His face was calm, but his tight fist gives away his true emotions. "I said, put her down."

Pero nagmatigas si Alban. "Then what? Leave her sleeping here as you go home and cuddle warmly in your beds?"

Lumapit si Nadia sa nobyo. "Alban..."

"What's it to you?" Isaiah c***s his head upward with a smug smile on his lips. "She chooses to come up here and wait. So, leave her in the sofa to wait."

"Alam mo..." Hinarap ni Alban si Isaiah sa kabila nang pagpipigil ni Nadia. "Ang arogante mo. Babae siya pero pinapahintay mo ng buong araw? Bakit di mo nalang siya diretsohin na di mo tatanggapin ang proposal niya para ---- "

"I already did. As always, she's stubborn to understand that." He crosses his arms infront of chest. "Or maybe she's not here for my approval but for another reason."

Agad sumingit si Baxter kasi alam nito kung anong ibig sabihin ng amo. "Sir... huwag."

Yet Isaiah continues. "Too bad, my answer is also a 'no'."

Sasagot na sana si Alban nang naramdaman nitong huminga nang malalim ang babae na buhat nito sa mga bisig. When he looks down, he saw hint of tears on the corner of Marga's eyes. She's already awake and pretends to be asleep enough to hear the painful words from the man she once loved.

Naglakad nalang si Isaiah at nilagpasan ang dalawa.

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Nakasandal si Marga sa upuan ng kotse at nakatingin sa makukulay na ilaw sa mga building na nadadaanan nila. The lights are lively yet her eyes are dull and lifeless.

"That man is an asshole, darlin'." Inis na iling ni Alban na nakaupo sa tabi niya.

"Yet he's my only hope." Malungkot niyang sagot.

Napabuga nalang ng hangin si Alban. "Seriously, Marga. There are lots of people we could ----"

She outbursts. "BUT I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME!!!"

Natahimik si Alban.

"I..." She held back her tears. "I only have three days left and I don't have f*****g anyone to ask for help anymore!!" Hapo nitong dinama ang noo. "K-Kung p-pwede lang.. kung pwede lang sana..." Doon na siya napaiyak. "Kung pwede lang sana... di nalang siya... d-di nalang siya. B-But as always, I DON'T HAVE A DAMN CHOICE!!" Humagulhol siya. "B-Ba't ba g-ganito nalang palagi... bakit g-ganito nalang... Kapagod na..."

Hinila siya ni Alban at niyakap. "Now, now, darlin'."

At doon niya binuhos ang sakit na nararamdaman sa balikat ng kaibigan. "Kapagod n-naaaa..."